Have Yourself a Merry Little Heart

I love how the above verse flows off my lips. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." (Proverbs 17: 22) Go ahead. Say it out loud. Tell me it didn't make you smile. It just sounds cheery to me. I don't know. Maybe it's just me, but I like it.

I've noticed this week that we are just too serious. Don't get me wrong. We have a whole lot on this planet called earth to be seriously serious about. Wars, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, poverty, and human trafficking are just some of the issues that are on the pages of our morning newspapers. Not to mention the particular tragedies we face in our own everyday lives. Death, sickness, loss of jobs, rising prices that leave more month than money left over to meet the family's needs. I used to know a guy who would always say, "I don't read the news because it's all bad news, and I have enough bad news." Anyone?

That being said, I find it hard to believe that God would want us walking around with scowls on our faces all the time, deepening the furrows of our brows, because we think we have to be so darn serious all the time. Right in the middle of the book of Proverbs, God speaks about being cheerful. I've already shown you the verse about a merry heart. Look at some others.

"A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit." (Prov. 15: 13)

"The cheerful heart has a continual feast." (Prov. 15: 15b)

"A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones." (Prov. 15: 30)

But can we be of good cheer in spite of what's going on in the world? In spite of what's happening in our worlds? Watch this.

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33 KJV) 

That's Jesus talking. He's saying "Cheer up. Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world." There you go!

I remember when the Jesus Film first came out. My eyes filled with tears when I saw Jesus portrayed in a film... oh no, could it be? Smiling!!! I have to believe that Jesus smiled. I have to believe that Jesus laughed. He was fully God, but He was also fully human. It does my heart a world of good to know that Jesus would've laughed and smiled, and told a few jokes. Clean ones of course.  

   
It's been proven that laughter is good for us.     

Physical Health Benefits: Boosts immunity Lowers stress hormones Decreases pain Relaxes your muscles Prevents heart disease	Mental Health Benefits: Adds joy and zest to life Eases anxiety and fear Relieves stress Improves mood Enhances resilience	Social Benefits: Strengthens relationships Attracts others to us Enhances teamwork Helps defuse conflict Promotes group bonding

Source: http://www.helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm



I actually know a woman named "Mary Hart." Do you think that every time she signs her name she's reminded to have a "merry heart?"  

This picture hangs in my kitchen, above my stove. It always reminds me of what's important. 

 "Live well, Laugh often, Love always."

Friend, take seriously and treat seriously those things that you must. But don't forget to laugh. Don't forget to have fun. Don't forget to smile and joke and have a good time. If today, you can't find anything to laugh about, know that above all else, God loves you. Psalm 90: 14 says, "Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days."

It's okay to laugh. It's okay to be silly now and again. What kind of a witness is a continual sour face and dead serious countenance anyway? Do you think an unbeliever will be attracted to that? Let's show the world some joy. A joy that comes from being a believer, saved and dearly loved by an amazing God! If we have a joyful, cheerful attitude, we can change the atmosphere of our homes, our workplaces, and our churches. We will feel better physically, emotionally and spiritually. There is no downside to being cheerful; to laughing often. Find the humor in the little annoyances of the day. Laugh at yourself. Don't take yourself so seriously. Watch a funny movie. Sing, dance, and be silly once in a while.

One of the things I love about my marriage to my man is that after 20 years, we can still make each other laugh. I cherish that so much. My children make me laugh like none other . We've got to laugh. If we don't, we'll be so serious that we will seriously lose our ever-lovin' minds.   

My son posted these words on Facebook a few days ago: 

"A woman has twins and gives them up for adoption. One goes to a family in Egypt and is named Amahl while the other goes to a family in Spain and is named Juan. Years later Juan sends a picture of himself to his birth mother and upon receiving the picture she tells her husband she wishes she also had a picture of Amahl. "But they're twins," says her husband, "If you've seen Juan you've seen Amahl..."



 

I think Jesus might have even laughed at that one.

 
*All images taken from Google Images